Earaches can be a common and uncomfortable problem for both adults and children. They can be caused by a variety of factors such as ear infections, sinus infections, colds, flu, or even exposure to loud noises. In many cases, earaches are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty hearing.
What is an earache?
Earaches typically affect children, but they can also affect adults. An earache may affect one or both ears, but typically only one ear is affected. The pain may be subtle, severe, or searing and may be continual or intermittent. Earache is frequently brought on by ear infections, especially in kids. Otitis media, often known as middle ear infections, happen when fluids accumulate in the tubes in the middle ear. Proper up arrow. Then, a virus or bacteria may infect this fluid.
Children are more susceptible to ear infections than adults are, in part because of the difficulty in draining fluid due to the smaller and straighter eustachian tubes in children. They are more vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are still developing.
Earache symptoms
The symptoms of an earache usually start quickly and include
- pain inside the ear.
- a high temperature.
- being sick.
- a lack of energy.
- difficulty hearing.
- discharge running out of the ear.
- a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear.
- itching and irritation in and around the ear.
A blockage often causes earache in the eustachian tube, the passageway that extends from the middle ear to the back of the nasal cavity and the throat. Air and fluid cannot travel through a blocked eustachian tube, which results in pressure buildup and discomfort. Right up arrow,
What issues does it lead to?
Ear infections, such as swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections (otitis media), frequently result in ear pain (otitis externa). Although they can affect persons of all ages, ear infections are more common in children than adults. Adults may have ear pain from ailments including TMJ and jaw arthritis.
Earache treatment process:
If you have an ear infection, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics or eardrops. In some cases, they’ll prescribe both. Don’t stop taking the medication once your symptoms improve. You must finish your entire prescription to ensure the infection will clear up completely. If a buildup of wax is causing your ear pain, you may be given wax-softening eardrops. They may cause the wax to fall out on its own. Your doctor may also flush out the wax using a process called ear lavage, or they may use a suction device to remove the wax.
Not all earaches are bacterial or need prescription medication. You could find all the relief you need in your home with treatments; these are earache remedies you could do:
- Apply a cold washcloth to the ear.
- Avoid getting the ear wet.
- Sit upright to help relieve ear pressure.
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops.
- Take OTC pain relievers.
- Chew gum to help relieve pressure.
- Feed an infant to help them relieve their pressure.
What happens if you leave earaches untreated?
Untreated infections or infections that don’t respond well to treatment can spread to nearby tissues. Infection of the mastoid, the bony protrusion behind the ear, is called mastoiditis. This infection can result in damage to the bone and the formation of pus-filled cysts.
Preventing earaches
Some earaches may be preventable. Try these preventive measures:
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Keep foreign objects out of the ear.
- Dry the ears after swimming or bathing.
- Avoid allergy triggers, such as dust and pollen.
ASAP Rehab and Performance, we understand the importance of finding effective earache remedies in Houston, Texas. Our team of chiropractors provides natural and home remedies for earache in Houston, Texas. We also provide ear infection treatment and earache remedies for children in Houston, Texas. We believe in providing the best care for our patients and strive to offer the most effective and natural remedies to help you find relief from your earaches. Visit us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to recovery.